A44342:685
The application of redemption by the effectual work of the word, and spirit of Christ, for the bringing home of lost sinners to God ... by that faithful and known servant of Christ, Mr. Thomas Hooker ...
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1656
Title page: Internet Archive scan of the Early English Books microfilm
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
For to imagine that the fire of Purgatory should purify the Sinner, from any Soul pollution, that a Material thing should […] upon a Spiritual Substance such as the Soul is, yea, a Natural thing work a Supernatural disposition, […] a senseless, and unconceivable Absurdity, not worthy the Consideration; much less any serious endeavour to Confute.
For to imagine that the fire of Purgatory should purifie the Sinner, from any Soul pollution, that a Material thing should 〈…〉 upon a Spiritual Substance such as the Soul is, yea, a Natural thing work a Supernatural disposition, 〈…〉 a senseless, and unconceivable Absurdity, not worthy the Consideration; much less any serious endeavor to Confute.
The Second Part of the Doctrine is, While the §2Gospel is […], that is the season of Gods acceptation, ⟨p. 245⟩he then puts forth the power of his grace to prepare the heart; so the word implies in the text, an opportunity of acceptation: It discovers […] […] in Three Particulars.
The Second Part of the Doctrine is, While the §2Gospel is 〈…〉, that is the season of Gods acceptation, ⟨p. 245⟩he then puts forth the power of his grace to prepare the heart; so the word implyes in the text, an opportunity of acceptation: It discovers 〈…〉 〈…〉 in Three Particulars.
There is fitness of opportunity in regard of the §1cause of the accomplishment of any thing; when there is a concurrence or meeting together of many helps, for the bringing about […] that we desire and would have, for the effecting of any work we intend: Thus we use to say, when we have wind and tide, then is the fittest season to sail; while we have health and strength, is the […] time to set about works of greatest importance, not that the bare continuance of so many hours, or days, or years, makes any difference, for they are always the same, in sickness and in health; in youth, and in crazy, and decrepit age, in a still calm, and in a fair gale; but the fitness lies in the causes and means which now are happily afforded unto us, which hereafter we may be deprived of, or not able to improve though we do enjoy them.
There is fitness of opportunity in regard of the §1cause of the accomplishment of any thing; when there is a concurrence or meeting together of many helps, for the bringing about 〈…〉 that we desire and would have, for the effecting of any work we intend: Thus we use to say, when we have wind and tide, then is the fittest season to sail; while we have health and strength, is the 〈…〉 time to set about works of greatest importance, not that the bare continuance of so many hours, or dayes, or yeers, makes any difference, for they are alwayes the same, in sickness and in health; in youth, and in crazy, and decrepit age, in a still calm, and in a fair gale; but the fitness lies in the causes and means which now are happily afforded unto us, which hereafter we may be deprived of, or not able to improve though we do enjoy them.
Thus then there is a season of Gods acceptation. when he affords means, sends his Messengers of glad […] of Peace, when he sets open the stall of the Gospel before our eyes, cries his commodities in our […], and proclaims the offer or his rich mercy to all Comers, Ho every one that will, let him come and take freely of the waters of the well of life and live for ever: Now is the Season of Gods gracious working and our receiving, greatest success in his Ordinances; this is the Exposition […] the Apostle ads in the following verse, behold now is the acceptable time, whiles the light shines, whilst Wisdom cries, and Ministers call, if ever there was opportunity of Conversion and Preparation now is the fittest of all other, for God to work it, for us to endeavour ⟨p. 246⟩it; When the fat things are killed, and finest wines drawn and broached, servants sent to invite, and all preparations made ready to the marriage feast, Luke 14. 17. Then is it time to come, to feed, to refresh our selves; behold all is ready, only come, when the door is open, and warning given, behold the bridegroom cometh, then is the nick of opportunity to follow hard after, if we would find entrance into the Bride chamber, 'Matt. 25. 8, 9. But when the Feast is over, and the door shut, we may have time to come and knock, but never shall we find entrance, or acceptance, or welcome, because the season is past.
Thus then there is a season of Gods acceptation. when he affords means, sends his Messengers of glad 〈…〉 of Peace, when he sets open the stall of the Gospel before our eyes, cryes his commodities in our 〈…〉, and proclaims the offer or his rich mercy to all Commers, Ho every one that will, let him come and take freely of the waters of the well of life and live for ever: Now is the Season of Gods gracious working and our receiving, greatest success in his Ordinances; this is the Exposition the Apostle ads in the following verse, behold now is the acceptable time, whiles the light shines, whilest Wisdom cryes, and Ministers call, if ever there was opportunity of Conversion and Preparation now is the fittest of all other, for God to work it, for us to endeavor
There is a fitness in reference to the work, which §2the thing now made might have, which hereafter happily could not attain; Thus came Esther to be Queen in a fit time, for Mordecai's safety, the succour and deliverance of the Nation of the Jews; for though she might have possessed the same place, enjoyed the same Honour, and Royal Preeminence, afterwards; yet it had been too late to have defeated the Policies of Haman, or procured the Preservation of her People, from the Plots and pursuits of those who were armed for their utter ruin, Esther 4 Thus the Woman of Samaria was then called effectually by our Saviour, John 4. when it was the pat opportunity to communicate the notice of a Messiah, and the work of his Grace to the Samaritans, who were as the regions of Corn, white unto the harvest, and ready to be cut and carried; so were the People ready to hear, attend, and embrace the glad tidings of Redemption through the Lord Jesus.
There is a fitness in reference to the work, which §2the thing now made might have, which hereafter happily could not attain; Thus came Esther to be Queen in a fit time, for Mordecais safety, the succor and deliverance of the Nation of the Jews; for though she might have possessed the same place, enjoyed the same Honor, and Royal Preheminence, afterwards; yet it had been too late to have defeated the Policies of Haman, or procured the Preservation of her People, from the Plots and pursuits of those who were armed for their utter ruine, Esther 4 Thus the Woman of Samaria was then called effectually by our Savior, John 4. when it was the pat opportunity to commuicate the notice of a Messias, and the work of his Grace to the Samaritans, who were as the regions of Corn, white unto the harvest, and ready to be cut and carried; so were the People ready to hear, attend, and embrace the glad tydings of Redemption through the Lord Jesus.
There is a fitness in regard of the Subject, which §3howsoever it gives no cause nor help to the accomplishment of the work now in doing, yet it makes way for the further manifestation of the skill and ⟨p. 247⟩goodness of the workman, and holds our the work done to greater admiration. Thus our Saviour is said1 to come and reconcile all things in the fullness of opportunities, Ephes. 1. 10. because the Lord Christ came then when things were at the lowest ebb, the state of the Church of the Jews in […] extremity, when the root of David was dry, and the branches of the stock of David quite withered, Isa. 11. 1 that is, When the Sceptre seemed to have departed from the Tribe of Judah, and a Law-giver from between his legs, Gen. 49. 10.
There is a fitness in regard of the Subject, which §3howsoever it gives no cause nor help to the accomplishment of the work now in doing, yet it makes way for the further manifestation of the skill and ⟨p. 247⟩goodness of the workman, and holds our the work done to greater admiration. Thus our Savior is said1 to come and reconcile all things in the fulness of opportunities, Ephes. 1. 10. because the Lord Christ came then when things were at the lowest eb, the state of the Church of the Jews in 〈…〉 extremity, when the root of David was dry, and the branches of the stock of David quite withered, Isa. 11. 1 that is, When the Scepter seemed to have departed from the Tribe of Judah, and a Law-giver from between his legs,
Now however the extremity of this distress was no cause of Deliverance, but rather a hinderance in it self; and though God the Father out of his own power and according to his own good pleasure might have sent his Son sooner, to have redeemed his people out of their distresses, yet now the greatness of misery made them such Subjects, wherein the glory of his rich Grace, might appear in the perfect beauty thereof.
Hence it is many times in the Dispensation of the work of Grace, the Lord takes the Sinner in the lowest and basest estate, in the most desperate condition when the distress grows deadly, the case to the eye of man is beyond cure and recovery, that so the sovereign virtue of his saving Grace might be set forth to the wonder of the World, and to the encouragement of those who should come to the like straits: Upon this ground it is that the Lord Christ chose that time to convert Paul when he was in the heat of his rage, when his fury was at the height, when breathing out threatenings against the Church, he came armed with authority, and hellish resolution to carry all to Prison, Acts 9. In a word, while Paul proceeds furiously with a […] intention, to oppose Christ to persecute his Members, ⟨p. 248⟩and in the issue to procure and hasten his own everlasting ruin, then our Saviour prevents him and pities him, and doth him most good, while he strives to do most harm, and to make havoc of the Church, the truth, and his soul also: yea, then works his conversion, when he most seriously endeavours to work his own Confusion of himself, and such as professed the Faith in sincerity; the aim of God in all the Apostle directed by the Spirit expresseth to be this, 1 Tim. 1. 16. I was a Persecutor, but I obtained 1Mercy, to the end that the Lord in me might show all long-suffering to the example of those that should believe on his Name. Such a forlorn Sinner at that time was the fittest subject to receive the full print of Gods love and compassion in great Letters, as it were, that he might be a pattern to all […], of the boundless compassions of the Lord. That as Seamen after a dangerous wrack and miraculous deliverance, set up a Monument of their Preservation to all that pass that way, to work fear in them to prevent shipwreck, and yet hope of Recovery if they do.
Hence it is many times in the Dispensation of the work of Grace, the Lord takes the Sinner in the lowest and basest estate, in the most desparate condition when the distress grows deadly, the case to the eye of man is beyond cure and recovery, that so the soveraign vertue of his saving Grace might be set forth to the wonder of the World, and to the encouragement of those who should come to the like streights: Upon this ground it is that the Lord Christ chose that time to convert Paul when he was in the heat of his rage, when his fury was at the height, when breathing out threatnings against the Church, he came armed with authority, and hellish resolution to carry all to Prison,
To the like purpose is the Conversion of the Apostle in this heat of his Rebellion set upon Record in public view: As though the Lord should say, Look here you forlorn sinners, see a desperate Rebel running post-haste to his everlasting ruin, and behold withal the hand of Mercy then stopping of him in his way; Paul persecuting Christ in his Members, Christ then pitying and preserving Paul, the one most kind, when the other is most vile and […]: Oh the madness of a deluded Soul […] reason! But Oh the Compassions of a Saviour beyond all compare! Be afraid you never proceed to such hellish folly, and yet bless God, That there is such a Saviour if you do. These be the Seasons of ⟨p. 249⟩Gods acceptation, the first here principally intended, the rest not excluded, and in these opportunities thus appointed by God in his Wisdom, according to his good will, he doth put forth the work of his Grace, to bring home the Souls of his unto himself.
To the like purpose is the Conversion of the Apostle in this heat of his Rebellion set upon Record in publick view: As though the Lord should say, Look here you forlorn sinners, see a desparate Rebel running post-haste to his everlasting ruine, and behold withal the hand of Mercy then stopping of him in his way; Paul persecuting Christ in his Members, Christ then pittying and preserving Paul, the one most kind, when the other is most vile and 〈…〉: Oh the madness of a deluded Soul 〈…〉 reason! But Oh the Compassions of a Savior beyond all compare! Be afraid you never proceed to such hellish folly, and yet bless God, That there is such a Savior if you do. These be the Seasons of ⟨p. 249⟩Gods acceptation, the first here principally intended, the rest not excluded, and in these opportunities thus appointed by God in his Wisdom, according to his good will, he doth put forth the work of his Grace, to bring home the Souls of his unto himself.
Hence we learn, That a long life is a great blessing1 in it self, a great temporal blessing as it comes from the Lord. Why? Because all that while a man is in the way: Mercy may meet with him, and he may meet with it: While there is life, there is hope (unless a man have sinned against the holy Ghost) Physicians observe all the while there is strength in Nature, there is hope the Physic may prove profitable; It is much more for the comfort of the Soul, while there is life, there is yet a possibility: Thy heart is stubborn, and rebellious, and proud; but thou yet livest, and the Lord lives, and his Mercy lives, therefore it may be he may show mercy to thee: But when a man is dropped down into the grave, and the pit hath shut its mouth upon2 him, then all his thoughts perish, then with a sad heart he may remember all the helps he had, the opportunities §4he had, but never had a heart to get any good by them: Then he reads over all the Sermons he heard, by the flames of Hell; and remembers all the kindnesses of the Lord, and then there is no hope.
Hence we learn, That a long life is a great blessing1 in it self, a great temporal blessing as it comes from the Lord. Why? Because all that while a man is in the way: Mercy may meet with him, and he may meet with it: While there is life, there is hope (unless a man have sinned against the holy Ghost) Physitians observe all the while there is strength in Nature, there is hope the Physick may prove profitable; It is much more for the comfort of the Soul, while there is life, there is yet a possibility: Thy heart is stubborn, and rebellious, and proud; but thou yet livest, and the Lord lives, and his Mercy lives, therefore it may be he may shew mercy to thee: But when a man is dropped down into the grave, and the pit hath shut its mouth upon2 him, then all his thoughts perish, then with a sad heart he may remember all the helps he had, the opportunities §4he had, but never had a heart to get any good by them: Then he reads over all the Sermons he heard, by the flames of Hell; and remembers all the kindnesses of the Lord, and then there is no hope.
You therefore that know your bosom abominations, you have your back doors, and your base haunts; you know your sins are not pardoned, you have not repented of them; when you are gone home, go your ways, and bless God that you live: For, let me tell you, This is all the hope in the world that yet you are alive, and therefore the Lord may show Mercy to you; if your days were ended, and ⟨p. 250⟩you gone down to Hell, then not all the world, nay not Christ, nor the Mercy of God it self could not save you then: therefore look as it was with a Child which was followed by a Bear into a pond, the Child cried out to the people that were running and came to the ponds sides, Oh help, help; and still as the Bear […] him, first his Arms, than his Legs, and still he cried out, Oh help, help, yet I am alive, yet I am alive: this is your condition, believe it. Not Bears, but Sins and Devils are upon you, they have you in their clutches, tearing and devouring your Souls: Oh look to Heaven, and cry out unto the Lord, and say, Lord, a proud stubborn Creature, but yet I am alive, the Devil is Devouring my soul, but Lord, help me and deliver me, yet I am alive; bless God you are so, and know its all you have to show for your everlasting welfare. For while there is Life, there is Hope.
You therefore that know your bosom abominations, you have your back doors, and your base haunts; you know your sins are not pardoned, you have not repented of them; when you are gone home, go your waies, and bless God that you live: For, let me tell you, This is all the hope in the world that yet you are alive, and therefore the Lord may shew Mercy to you; if your dayes were ended, and ⟨p. 250⟩you gone down to Hell, then not all the world, nay not Christ, nor the Mercy of God it self could not save you then: therefore look as it was with a Child which was followed by a Bear into a pond, the Child cryed out to the people that were running and came to the ponds sides, Oh help, help; and still as the Bear 〈…〉 him, first his Arms, than his Legs, and still he cryed out, Oh help, help, yet I am alive, yet I am alive: this is your condition, beleeve it. Not Bears, but Sins and Devils are upon you, they have you in their clutches, tearing and devouring your Souls: Oh look to Heaven, and cry out unto the Lord, and say, Lord, a proud stubborn Creature, but yet I am alive, the Devil is Devouring my soul, but Lord, help me and deliver me, yet I am alive; bless God you are so, and know its all you have to shew for your everlasting welfare. For while there is Life, there is Hope.
Matter of Caution and Advice, to fence our souls1 and fortify our selves against that hellish distemper of self-Murder, that our hearts may be carried with hatred of it, and our souls preserved from the commission of it: when partly from discontentments, and partly from terrors of Conscience, men are not able to bear with themselves; but they will run to a Halter or a Knife, they will put an end to their lives that they may put an end to their sorrows; they will not live, that they may not live thus and thus. Why Consider, Art thou sure of a better life? They will Answer, No, that's my misery, I see all my sins before me, and Hell gaping for me, and the Devils attending to seize upon my Soul, and it makes me weary of my life. Weary of your life! Take heed of that, bless God for your life, and pray for life, and seek to preserve your life what you may, for while your life lasts, you are in the way to Mercy ⟨p. 251⟩Dives had so much experience of the torments2 of Hell, that he sends to those that were alive, Oh take heed of coming hither, you are in a better condition than I, what ever your case be. Learn therefore for ever to fear and fly from temptations to self Murder, as that which would put an end to your life, and to put an end to all hopes and possibilities of Mercy from the Lord.
Matter of Caution and Advice, to fence our souls1 and fortifie our selves against that hellish distemper of self-Murther, that our hearts may be carried with hatred of it, and our souls preserved from the commission of it: when partly from discontentments, and partly from terrors of Conscience, men are not able to bear with themselves; but they will run to a Halter or a Knife, they will put an end to their lives that they may put an end to their sorrows; they wil not live, that they may not live thus and thus. Why Consider, Art thou sure of a better life? They will Answer, No, thats my misery, I see all my sins before me, and Hell gaping for me, and the Devils attending to seize upon my Soul, and it makes me weary of my life. Weary of your life! Take heed of that, bless God for your life, and pray for life, and seek to preserve your life what you may, for while your life lasts, you are in the way to Mercy
But the main Fruit of the Point, which properly1 belongs to this Place, is a Use of Instruction, which ought to be observed and settled upon the Consciences of us all. Doth the Lord then usually accept of the Soul, and do good to it while he provides and continues the means of Grace? What then remains but we should give all diligence to attend upon his times, take his means, and improve all to the […] for our Spiritual good. Suffer me here to stay a while, and urge the Collection with an Argument or Two, and yet go no further than the Words, nor take other Reasons than the Text will afford, for it issues amain and with a full source from all Particulars mentioned before, the foregoing Truths meeting together, like so many streams, to make this more forcible upon the Conscience, and like a mighty Current, to carry us along to everlasting happiness.
But the main Fruit of the Point, which properly1 belongs to this Place, is a Use of Instruction, which ought to be observed and settled upon the Consciences of us all. Doth the Lord then usually accept of the Soul, and do good to it while he provides and continues the means of Grace? What then remains but we should give all dilligence to attend upon his times, take his means, and improve all to the 〈…〉 for our Spiritual good. Suffer me here to stay a while, and urge the Collection with an Argument or Two, and yet go no further than the Words, nor take other Reasons than the Text will afford, for it issues amain and with a full sourse from all Particulars mentioned before, the foregoing Truths meeting together, like so many streams, to make this more forcible upon the Conscience, and like a mighty Current, to carry us along to everlasting happiness.
It is a Season, and therefore to be Observed; an §1Opportunity, and therefore to be Improved without Delay: We should address our selves presently to this so great a work, Redeem the time, Col. 4. 5. Having opportunity, let us do good to all, Gal. 6. 10 If unto others, much more to our selves: If to their bodies, especially to our own Soul; if to them in Temporal things, than most of all our best good in Eternal blessings is to be attended.
But the Season is not yet come, that Opportunity ⟨p. 252⟩is not yet offered. Answ. […] […], the Apostle points at it as at hand, and in view: Behold now: while I am Speaking, and you are Hearing, while the doors of the Sanctuary are yet opened, while we are in the land of the living, behold now is the acceptable time. Oh let us not harden our hearts, nor shut our eyes, […] stop our ears, unto the voice of the Lord, but pursue opportunity present, strike while the iron is hot, […] our Harvest while the heat and Sun-shine is upon us, while wind and tide lasts, sail we cheerfully towards the Haven, the end of our hopes, the Salvation of our Souls. This is the Argument which the Apostle presseth with so much eagerness, as having such apparent evidence in it. That considering the Season, it is high time we should awake from the sleep of security, our salvation is nearer than heretofore, Rom. 3. 11. The Lord now speaks to us as sometimes to the secure Church, Cant. 2. 10. Arise my Love, my Dove, and come away; For lo the winter is gone. the flowers appear, the voice of the Turtle is heard in our land, &c. I may truly say, This Scripture is this day fulfilled in our ears, wherein the Lord Christ by the Ministry of his Word calls, and that with all instancy, upon every corrupt […]-hearted sinner to come to him, to receive the word of his Grace, and the power and comfort thereof upon his soul: Behold the foggy mists of Popery and ignorance are over, the shadows of […] are passed away, the flowers grow, and the […] […] apace, peace and prosperity, with abundance of outward blessings showered down upon us, the voice of the Turtle is heard in our Land, the sound of the Gospel, and the glad tidings of Peace, have been, and yet […] proclaimed in our streets.
But the Season is not yet come, that Opportunity ⟨p. 252⟩is not yet offered. Answ. 〈…〉 〈…〉, the Apostle points at it as at hand, and in view: Behold now: while I am Speaking, and you are Hearing, while the doors of the Sanctuary are yet opened, while we are in the land of the living, behold now is the acceptable time. Oh let us not harden our hearts, nor shut our eyes, stop our ears, unto the voice of the Lord, but pursue opportunity present, strike while the iron is hot, our Harvest while the heat and Sun-shine is upon us, while wind and tide lasts, sail we cheerfully towards the Haven, the end of our hopes, the Salvation of our Souls. This is the Argument which the Apostle presseth with so much eagerness, as having such apparent evidence in it. That considering the Season, it is high time we should awake from the sleep of security, our salvation is neerer than heretofore,
Arise, arise, therefore […] secure and dead hearted ⟨p. 253⟩Sinners, and come away. Arise ye drunkards, come […] from your Cups and Companies; Arise ye Adulterous wretches, come away from your […] […], and beds of dalliance; come to him who […] kindly invites you, who promises to accept you, who is able and willing to save you. Oh! consider opportunities will not last always, we have no […] of them, much less command of them; and who knows whether we shall ever enjoy that which we now neglect? Especially, considering the Lord at the present, vouchsafes all helps to further and persuade us to this Preparation, dealing with us as […] he did with the stubborn-hearted Jews by Ezekiel, who to strike their hearts with an open Conviction that they must go into Captivity, he is enjoined to carry out his stuff, in the most plain manner in their sight, from one place to another, and the end is added: If it be possible (as some translations read it) if per adventure (as the propriety of the Hebrew bears it, all to one sense) they may consider it, Ezek. 12. 3. As if he should say, There is some small hope that something may procure their welfare, and if it be possible, this plain dealing is like to prevail: A lively picture and resemblance of Gods special bounty to us-ward, who enjoy the means of Grace above many others: The Lord hath seen other Countries, but he hath settled his abode amongst us; he hath passed by many Congregations, but he hath lodged with those where he hath set up the Light of his Truth; the Son of […] hath sent abroad his beams to many corners of the Earth, a glimpse of his goodness hath appeared unto many places, but his saving health like the Sun in his full strength, hath stood over our heads as it did once in Gibeon, and the Moon in the valley of Ajalon: Some people have had many means, and many people ⟨p. 254⟩have had some, but almost all have met together to procure our good, and to make up the fullness of opportunities, even the fullness of all fitness, that if it were possible we might consider it, and […] at the last convert and turn unto the Lord. The Birds of the Heaven, the Sinners upon Earth, and the Devils in Hell, know and pursue their […] Opportunities; the one for the comforts of nature,1
Arise, arise, therefore 〈…〉 secure and dead hearted ⟨p. 253⟩Sinners, and come away. Arise ye drunkards, come 〈…〉 from your Cups and Companies; Arise ye Adulterous wretches, come away from your 〈…〉 〈…〉, and beds of dalliance; come to him who 〈…〉 kindly invites you, who promises to accept you, who is able and willing to save you. Oh! consider opportunities will not last alwayes, we have no 〈…〉 of them, much less command of them; and who knows whether we shall ever enjoy that which we now neglect? Especially, considering the Lord at the present, vouchsafes all helps to further and perswade us to this Preparation, dealing with us as 〈…〉 he did with the stubborn-hearted Jews by Ezekiel, who to strike their hearts with an open Conviction that they must go into Captivity, he is injoyned to carry out his stuff, in the most plain manner in their sight, from one place to another, and the end is added: If it be possible (as some translations reade it) if per adventure (as the propriety of the Hebrew bears it, all to one sense) they may consider it, Ezek. 12. 3. As if he should say, There is some small hope that somthing may procure their welfare, and if it be possible, this plain dealing is like to prevail: A lively picture and resemblance of Gods special bounty to us-ward, who enjoy the means of Grace above many others: The Lord hath seen other Countryes, but he hath settled his abode amongst us; he hath passed by many Congregations, but he hath lodged with those where he hath set up the Light of his Truth; the Son of 〈…〉 hath sent abroad his beams to many corners of the Earth, a glimpse of his goodness hath appeared unto many places, but his saving health like the Sun in his full strength, hath stood over our heads as it did once in Gibeon, and the Moon in the valley of Ajalon: Some people have had many means, and many people ⟨p. 254⟩have had some, but almost all have met together to procure our good, and to make up the fulness of opportunities, even the fulness of all fitness, that if it were possible we might consider it, and 〈…〉 at the last convert and turn unto the Lord. The Birds of the Heaven, the Sinners upon Earth, and the Devils in Hell, know and pursue their 〈…〉 Opportunities; the one for the comforts of nature,1 that they may enjoy them; the other for their 〈…〉,2 that they may enjoy their lusts, though they perish for it:
